Search results

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has been frequently proposed as a promising tool for learning. However, researchers have commonly implemented a plethora of design elements in these IVR systems, which makes the specific aspects of the system that are necessary to achieve beneficial outcomes unclear. Against this background, this study aims to combine the literature on presence with learning theories to propose that the ability of IVR to present 3D objects to users improves the presence of these objects in the virtual environment compared with 2D objects, leading to increased learning performance.

To test this study’s hypotheses, the authors conducted a 2 (training condition: approach vs avoid) x 2 (object presence: high vs low) between-subjects laboratory experiment that used IVR with 83 female participants.

The results support this study’s hypotheses and show that training with high object presence leads to greater reactions to cues (chocolate cravings) and improved health behaviour (chocolate consumption).

This study shows that increased object presence leads to unique experiences for users, which help reinforce training effects. Moreover, this work sheds further light on how immersive computer technologies can affect user attitudes and behaviour. Specifically, this work contributes to IVR research by showing that learning effects can be enhanced through an increased degree of object presence.

Prison-based animal programs are becoming increasingly common in North America. The majority focus on community and animal well-being, with less explicit therapeutic goals for human participants. The purpose of this paper is to measure the objectives of a canine animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in a Canadian psychiatric prison and examine whether the program supports inmates’ correctional plans.

A modified instrumental case study design was applied with three inmates over a 24-AAT-session program. Quantitative and qualitative AAT session data were collected and mid- and end-of-program interviews were held with the inmates, their mental health clinicians and the therapy dog handlers.

Inmates connected with the therapy dogs through the animals’ perceived offering of love and support. This development of a human–animal bond supported inmates’ correctional plans, which are largely situated within a cognitive-behavioral skill development framework. Specifically, inmates’ connections with the therapy dogs increased recognition of their personal feelings and emotions and positively impacted their conduct.

The findings suggest that prison-based AAT programs emphasizing inmate mental well-being, alongside that of animal and community well-being generally, merit further exploration. It would be worthwhile to assess this AAT program with a larger and more diverse sample of inmates and in a different institutional context and also to conduct a post-intervention follow-up.

This is the first study of a prison-based AAT program in a Canadian psychiatric correctional facility.

The study aims to investigate, through mapping analysis, the operation of knowledge organization systems (KOS) in different languages (English and Chinese), the types of term equivalence and the degree of similarity between different conceptual structures, and issues related thereto.

Terms are selected from the Art & Architecture Thesaurus developed by Getty Research Institute in the USA (source language) and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan participating in Taiwan e‐Learning and Digital Archives Program (target language). In respect of data analysis, mapping analysis and content analysis are both adopted.

Among the six types of term equivalence, “exact equivalence” appears most frequently. The degree of similarity between different conceptual structures can be divided into four types: similar structure, transferring part of the structure of source language into the system of target language by modeling; similar structure, but the structure of source language needs to be expanded or revised; dissimilar structure, the term in target language can be partially mapped to the term in source language; lack of structure, no matches between target language and source language.

The next step is to develop a more comprehensive conceptual structure that can incorporate multicultural perspectives. If the “partial equivalence” terms are further identified as important concepts, the problems of non‐exact equivalence terms and dissimilar conceptual structures can be solved by addressing the needs of English users in searching for Chinese art collections.

The study serves as a pilot study applicable to the development of multilingual KOS in the domain of Chinese fine arts, building the first demonstration model for the interoperability of KOS in Chinese and English.

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether Europeana can be really seen as the new “Library of Alexandria” for digital resources from the perspective of teachers, academics and researchers that might want to retrieve and reuse those resources for learning purposes.

The authors define a systematic method for studying Europeana digital resources and their potential for reuse in e-learning environments. To achieve this, the authors explore the coverage of digital resources when searching information about a specific area. The paper studies the relevance of the results (thematic coverage) provided by queries targeting the resources’ metadata elements defined by the EDM Europeana model. All the data collected for this study from Europeana digital resources are the result of four explorations since 2012-2016.

The autors found that Europeana as a digital library has good levels of coverage of digital resources for those terms in the AAT thesaurus explored (terms from the “Styles and Periods” subset). This subset was selected as an example of faceted search given that it is a common search topic in the academic environment. However, it is important to remark the use of common vocabulary words provided by participants in order to obtain relevant results of search based on specific knowledge areas defined by AAT terms.

This research used a relatively small sample size of resources which may not be representative of the general size of Europeana digital resources. However, the results are illustrative as they are based on a specific knowledge area of AAT (118 terms) which contains very common topics used in high school courses by students and teachers in the field of art and cultural heritage. The study also aspires to provide a systematic method for conducting future studies in other knowledge areas.

The coverage study aims to analyze if Europeana is a digital library that teachers could use for the development of learning objects in specific knowledge areas, through the reuse of free/open access digital resources.

The purpose of this paper is to measure the performance of a sampling method through the average number of samples drawn in control.

Matching the adjusted average time to signal (AATS) of sampling methods, using as a reference the AATS of one of them the paper obtains the design parameters of the others. Thus, it will be possible to obtain, in control, the average number of samples required, so that the AATS of the mentioned sampling methods may be equal to the AATS of the method that the paper uses as the reference.

A more robust performance measure to compare sampling methods because in many cases the period of time where the process is in control is greater than the out of control period. With this performance measure the paper compares different sampling methods through the average total cost per cycle, in systems with Weibull lifetime distributions: three systems with an increasing hazard rate (shape parameter β=2, 4 and 7) and one system with a decreasing failure rate (β=0, 8).

In a usual production cycle where the in control period is much larger than the out of control period, particularly if the sampling costs and false alarms costs are high in relation to malfunction costs, the paper thinks that this methodology allows us a more careful choice of the appropriate sampling method.

To compare the statistical performance between different sampling methods using the average number of samples need to be inspected when the process is in control. Particularly, the paper compares the statistical and economic performance between different sampling methods in contexts not previously considered in literature. The paper presents an approximation for the average time between the instant that failure occurs and the first sample with the process out of control, as well.

The development of competence‐based assessment in the UK has been strongly influenced by the introduction, in the 1980s, of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications. The introduction of these qualifications has raised the profile of competence‐based assessment and, arguably, its credibility. But it is responsible for creating some misconceptions. Attempts to centralise and prescribe criteria and processes have stifled innovation and have restricted the wider application of and involvement in competence‐based assessment, particularly at the higher levels. This article describes the background of competence‐based assessment and NVQs and identifies some of the misconceptions which exist in this area. Taking the Association of Accounting Technicians as a case study, the article aims to correct these misconceptions and demonstrate the real potential of competence‐based assessment in vocational and professional contexts.

The paper provides a theory base for deriving connotative descriptors for photographs from existing denotative descriptors, and then demonstrates a model for enhancing browsing within image collections by providing a tool for carving up the searching space.

The paper conceptually explores the nature of iconic messages contained in an image by adopting semiotics as a theoretical tool. A problem of image retrieval is identified as loss of connotative messages during the image representation process. The paper proposes an image‐retrieval model utilizing an association thesaurus that facilitates the assignment of connotative index terms by making use of denotative index terms of an image. A series of experiments are performed for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Experimental results demonstrate that the association thesaurus improves image‐retrieval effectiveness by increasing the recall of connotatively related image documents as well as the recall of browsing sets.

Applying connotative index terms to an image would be time consuming. Deriving connotative terms from denotative terms and then using them to enrich the browsing environment suggest a method of increasing retrieval effectiveness while reducing the resources required for representation.

Since images are often used to illustrate concepts that are not immediately evident from just the objects in front of the lens, connotative descriptions are particularly valuable. Since human perception of images is, in a sense, hard wired into our brains, browsing is a frequent and reasonable search method in image collections. Using connotative descriptors to point the way to clusters of images with a higher probability of relevance changes the locus of control over representation establishes an environment for dynamic representation, and gives credibility to browsing as a significant search method.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the calculation of magnetic field distribution in the modular amorphous transformers under short‐circuit state including the flux by the voltage supplying. The magnetically asymmetrical transformer (amorphous asymmetrical transformer – AAT) has been compared also with the symmetrical one (amorphous symmetrical transformer – AST).

3D field problems were analyzed with total ψ and reduced ϕ potentials within the finite element method (FEM). The calculated fluxes have been verified experimentally.

The field method which includes voltage excitation is helpful for flux density (B) calculation and winding reactances determination, as well. Calculations and tests yield similar flux distributions in both AST and AAT constructions. One should emphasize that AAT is better for manufacturing and repairing.

Owing to very thin (80 μm) amorphous ribbon, the solid core has been assumed for computer simulations.

Employment of a field method for calculation of the innovative three‐phase amorphous modular transformers. New construction of amorphous transformer, i.e. AAT, has been manufactured at Opole University of Technology.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new sampling methodology previously proposed for systems with a known lifetime distribution: the Predetermined Sampling Intervals (PSI) method.

The methodology is defined on basis of system hazard cumulative rate, and is compared with other approaches, particularly those whose parameters may change in real time, taking into account current sample information.

For different lifetime distributions, the results obtained for adjusted average time to signal (AATS) using a control chart for the sample mean are presented and analysed. They demonstrate the high degree of statistical performance of this sampling procedure, particularly when used in systems with an increasing failure rate distribution.

This PSI method is important from a quality and reliability management point of view.

This methodology involves a process by which sampling instants are obtained at the beginning of the process to be controlled. Also this new approach allows for statistical comparison with other sampling schemes, which is a novel feature.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediators that occupy the gap between information processing theory and supply chain agility. In today’s Mach speed business environment, managers often install new technology and expect an agile supply chain when they press<Enter>. This study reveals the naivety of such an approach, which has allowed new technology to be governed by old processes.

This work takes a qualitative approach to the dynamic conditions surrounding information processing and its connection to supply chain agility through the assessment of 60 exemplar cases. The situational conditions that have created the divide between information processing and supply chain agility are studied.

The agility adaptation typology (AAT) defining three types of adaptations and their mediating constructs is presented. Type 1: information processing, is generally an exercise in synchronization that can be used to support assimilation. Type 2: demand sensing, is where companies are able to incorporate real-time data into everyday processes to better understand demand and move toward a real-time environment. Type 3: supply chain agility, requires fundamentally new thinking in the areas of transformation, mindset and culture.

This work describes the reality of today’s struggle to achieve supply chain agility, providing guidelines and testable propositions, and at the same time, avoids “ivory tower prescriptions,” which exclude the real world details from the research process (Meredith, 1993). By including the messy real world details, while difficult to understand and explain, the authors are able to make strides in the AAT toward theory that explains and guides the manager’s everyday reality with all of its messy real world details.